New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) The FIFA World Cup has once again demonstrated football’s unmatched ability to unite billions across the globe, delivering unforgettable moments on and off the pitch. As the world gears up for the final between Argentina and Spain, the spotlight has also returned to a question that continues to haunt Indian football: why has a nation of more than 1.4 billion people still not qualified for the sport’s biggest event? For Shaji Prabhakaran, the answer is neither complicate…
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New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Shaji Prabhakaran believes that India’s failure to qualify for a FIFA World Cup is not because of a lack of talent, population or potential, but because the country’s football ecosystem has not worked collectively and consistently enough towards that goal. Speaking exclusively to IANS about the reasons behind India’s prolonged absence from football’s biggest stage, Prabhakaran called for greater unity,…
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Ahead of the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran backed Lionel Messi’s enduring influence on the reigning champions, describing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as the team’s “driving force” and “uniting force”. Speaking exclusively to IANS on Messi’s legacy, Argentina’s evolution and the criticism surrounding the South American giants during the tournament, Prabhakaran said t…
New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran has urged India to transform its periodic FIFA World Cup enthusiasm into a sustained movement for football development, saying the country must celebrate the sport throughout the year rather than only during the multinational event every four years. In a column ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Prabhakaran said football becomes hugely popular in India every four years, but much of that intere…
New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran claimed that discussions over the Indian broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 have finally concluded, and an official announcement regarding the broadcasting partner is expected in India next week.Posting on X, he wrote, “BIG NEWS FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL FANS! The wait is finally over. Negotiations are complete, and the official announcement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcasting partner in Ind…
New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) Former All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary Shaji Prabhakaran paid an emotional tribute to former Mohun Bagan football club president and one of the most influential sports administrators in Indian football, Swapan Sadhan Bose, popularly known as ‘Tutu Da’, describing his death as the end of an era for Indian football.Tutu Bose, aged 78, was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata after suffering a heart attack on Monday and passed away the next day.In a …